The Effect of Eating Speed on Energy Intake in Normal Weight and Overweight/Obese Subjects

Abstract

The effect of eating speed on energy intake is controversial and whether it is affected by weight status in not clear. This was further examined by recruiting 35 normal weight (NW) (23.9±2.6 kg/m2) and 35 overweight/obese (OW/O) (31.2 ±4.6 kg/m2) subjects. Subjects came to a metabolic laboratory on two different days, separated by 13.8±12.7 days, for lunch. During the first day, each subject was randomly assigned to eat at either a fast or slow eating speed. The subject was then given a bowl of vegetarian pasta (women: 900 g; men: 1200 g) and instructed to eat as much as desired but at the assigned eating speed. During the second study day, the subject consumed the same meal but at the alternate eating speed. The amount of energy consumed was calculated. A mixed effects ANOVA model was used to examine the effect of eating speed and eating speed by weight status on energy intake. Energy intake was significantly lower at the slow compared to the fast eating speed (733.5±379.9 kcal vs. 806.2±349.8, respectively; p=0.018). Energy intakes at the slow and fast eating speeds were 801.9±437.5 kcal and 890.0±329.4 kcal, respectively, in NW subjects and 655.1±303.1 kcal and 722.5±354.3 kcal respectively, in OW/O subjects. There was no eating speed by weight status interaction effect on energy intake (p=0.62). Eating speed had a significant impact on energy intake but the response was not affected by weight status. This study was funded by TCU.